From the desk of Sandra Fritcher, Lower School Principal:

Do you remember your first grade teacher?  Even though most kids go to PK and kindergarten, first grade is where you truly feel like a real school student.  It is where you feel somewhat grown up because you don’t need your parents to walk you to your classroom.  You really are reading and putting numbers together to add and subtract.  You really are writing sentences to make stories.  First grade is real school!

I remember my first grade teacher.  Her name was Mrs. Fisher, and she was somewhat plump and really, really strict.  Underneath all that strictness, though, she was sweet as honey.  We started each morning pledging the American flag and singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee.  Then Mrs. Fisher read a Bible story and scripture to the class, and then she prayed.  Yes, it was public school, and we also memorized scripture.  Then we worked all day learning reading, math, writing, social studies, and a little science.  We also learned how to get along with each other and how to treat others.  But what I remember most is, to me, Mrs. Fisher was a WOW teacher – a WOMAN OF WORTH.  She taught me academics, yes, but more than that, she made me feel like I could learn anything.  She instilled confidence and security and a love of learning.

Well, at the Lower School, our first grade teachers are all WOW teachers – WOMEN OF WORTH.  They are special ladies who serve God by teaching children.  They love what they do each day, and they love the Brook Hill Lower School.  Our first grade is so very strong academically because these teachers know just what to do.  They are competent, professional, and effective.  They also instill confidence, security, and a love of learning in our precious first graders.

JULIE DAHN describes herself as a child of God.  She is married to Mark, a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, and she is the mom of three amazing children – Kayla, Nate, and Karissa.  Mrs. Dahn has been a blue and orange fan since birth – first as a Bronco’s fan, and now as a Brook Hill fan.  Her teaching is innovative, creative, and action-packed.  She has taught every level from 2-year-olds to 6^th graders in New Mexico, Illinois, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and even Hong Kong!  She enjoys being outside in God’s creation, as well as reading and listening to children.  She really likes penguins.  No doubt about it, Mrs. Julie Dahn is a WOW teacher at the Lower School.

MARTY SMITH was born and raised in Tyler.  She is an Aggie, having graduated from Texas A & M University.  She is married to her high school sweetheart, Neal, who is a Tyler attorney, and she is the mother of three wonderful sons – Burch, Blake, and Andrew.  Mrs. Smith has been teaching first grade for fifteen years.  She just loves first grade because exciting learning happens in first grade.  She believes reading is the foundation for all other learning, and she thinks there is nothing better than seeing these precious children realize they are really reading.  Mrs. Smith feels “beyond blessed” to be teaching at the Lower School.  She thinks being able to teach Bible is such an amazing addition to education.  She hopes that her first graders will continue to grow in their spiritual life, as well as become lifelong learners.  No doubt about it, Mrs. Marty Smith is a WOW teacher at the Lower School.

SHERRY SMITH was born and raised in Palestine, and is now living in Palestine again.  She is married to David, who is a technology instructor in Palestine ISD, and she is the proud mother of two sons – Chad and J.P., and she also is the proud grandmother of Elliot and Banks, who live in Oklahoma.  Mrs. Smith graduated from Stephen F. Austin University, with a major in education and a minor in reading.  She has used that major and minor well.  She has taught first grade for thirty-five years!  She has taught first grade in Palestine, Bay City, Tyler, and now the Lower School.  She just loves first graders, and she loves teaching reading.  She also enjoys yard work, especially using the lawn mower!  Mrs. Smith is so glad to be at the Lower School.  She just smiles all the time because she is so happy.  No doubt about it, Mrs. Sherry Smith is a WOW teacher at the Lower School.

There is no question that God is blessing the Lower School through these three ladies.  They are calm, focused, and happy in first grade.  We are all thankful for them, and for what they do each and every day with our first graders.  No doubt about it, they are all WOW teachers at the Lower School.  They are truly WOMEN OF WORTH.